Ferndale's Voice of the Eagles' dies

A longtime supporter of the Ferndale Public Schools, Mahan was the public address announcer for Ferndale athletic events since 1947.

Mahan was a 1944 graduate of Ferndale’s Lincoln High School.

He has been honored for his distinguished 65-year career. Accolades include the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association with their 2002 Distinguished Service Award. Mahan also supervised the summer baseball program for 25 years, and served as a charter member of the Ferndale Sports Booster Club.

He was honored twice with recognition on Ferndale High School’s Wall of Honor for his years of dedicated service. He retired from the Detroit Public Schools in 1989 after a 38-year career as a teacher, counselor, and principal.

Mahan, with his wife Barbara,are renowned for their gardens and plantings that beautify the community near their home and in Roosevelt-Geary Park. Because of his dedication to students, Ferndale High School’s Hansen Stadium press box was named in 2005 “The Joe Mahan Press Box – Home of the Voice of the Eagles.”

“Joe Mahan is synonymous with Ferndale Basketball. There is not an official, opposing coach or true fan who has not enjoyed a positive experience in their time with Joe,“ Ferndale Athletic Director Shaun Butler said in a tribute to Mahan last month, “The legendary status that Joe … achieved is well-earned and he will never be forgotten as “The Voice of the Eagles.”

Funeral arrangements for Mahan are at Wessels & Wilk Funeral Home, 23690 Woodward Ave. in Pleasant Ridge. Visitation is from 1-8 p.m. Thursday with a funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimers Association www.wesselsandwilk.com